Armed Forces should join hands to vanquish common enemy - Navy Chief

The more than 16 month long surveillance and monitoring by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) have brought severe destruction to the sea Tigers of the LTTE having lost three 'floating warehouses' on the high seas with a large stockpile of weaponry last week.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer Navy Chief Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said that this defeat was a major blow to the LTTE, which heavily depended on sea Tigers who were the major link to supply weaponry, fuel and also to transfer their fighting cadres from coast to coast.

He said that the port of origin of these shipments was from some of the South East Asian countries.

Navy Commander Karannagoda said that a bulletproof vehicle for Prabakaran was among the items that were sunk at sea.

The Navy Commander reiterated the need of having a very good co-ordination with other Security Forces and the police. "I firmly believe that our forces should join hands to fight the common enemy", he said.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

Q: The Sri Lankan Navy recorded a marked victory this week by destroying the LTTE's naval power? How do you see the victory?

A: Yes, This is the biggest victory ever so far particularly in terms of destruction of LTTE logistic supply network. Destruction of three large supply vessels carrying more than 2000 tons of warlike material including a large number of artillery rounds within a span of 24 hours at a location thousands of kilometres away from Sri Lanka, is a crippling blow to the LTTE. The Sri Lanka Navy has shown its ability to take on a target at such distances, which has never been done before. The LTTE is already in a desperate situation for want of artillery rounds and other warlike material to sustain their terrorist activities. This has happened as a result of SLN action to destroy 10 large multi day fishing trawlers, a medium size cargo vessel in the year 2006 and one multi day trawler, one large cargo vessel on 28th of February, two large cargo vessels on 18th March this year. They were all carrying artillery and other types of ammunition totaling more than 2500 tons. These destructions have helped the Sri Lanka Army in a big way as the LTTE was forced to preserve their available stocks which have been brought during the ceasefire period. The latest destruction of three supply vessels of the LTTE on 10th / 11th of this month carrying more war like material, particularly artillery ammunition has broken the fighting capability of the LTTE. If these shipments were able to land ashore, you could imagine how many soldiers would have lost their limbs and how many would have lost their lives. Destruction of these supply vessels / trawlers have a direct bearing on the ongoing liberation effort. That is why I call the destruction of these three vessels on 10th / 11th of this month as a great victory and in fact a turning point in our terrorist combat operation.

Q: According to estimations what was the strength of the sea tigers earlier and now?

A: It is estimated that LTTE sea tigers had about 2000 cadres, 10 logistic ships, 10-15 hijacked fishing trawlers and a fleet of small craft which include attack craft, logistic craft and suicide craft, fitted with medium and small calibre weapons. The Sri Lanka Navy has taken the operation into sea Tiger territory and has been effectively denying the freedom of operation of LTTE sea tiger fleet. Sri Lanka Navy has been victorious in many sea confrontations and inflicted heavy losses to the terrorists. During the last two years SLN was able to destroy 08 LTTE cargo supply ships, 11 trawlers and nearly 40-50 sea tiger boats and to inflict heavy damages to many boats. SLN also captured two trawlers, one large attack craft and seven small boats. It is estimated that approximately 800 sea Tiger cadres perished in these naval battles, which included a large number of senior sea Tigers and black sea Tigers. This means that SLN has been able to break the back bone of LTTE sea Tigers and thereby reducing their ability to sustain terrorist activities. LTTE depended heavily on sea tigers to provide much needed Artillery Ammunition, Explosives, fuel and also to transfer their fighting cadres from coast to coast. Because of the action taken by SLN, the LTTE Sea tigers have lost their freedom of movement.

Q: Why it took so along to destroy the LTTE Naval power?

A: The LTTE has been waging a terror campaign for almost three decades. LTTE understood the importance of sea as a medium of transportation of warlike materials, cadres, evacuating casualties and to sustain their fighting capabilities. LTTE sea tigers have grown from mere fibre glass dinghies fitted with outboard motors to high speed sophisticated attack craft fitted with medium caliber guns, radars, GPS and Radio equipment. Also LTTE is the only terrorist organization in the world which is having International Maritime Capabilities. SLN had to change the approach, tactics and upgrade platforms and equipment in order to take a more offensive role. Development of a Navy cannot be done overnight. It takes time to develop capabilities, training and acquire additional capabilities. Also motivating the naval personnel to do the utmost to fight against the LTTE terrorists was another major task. Additional training and exposure was another criteria. Presently SLN has a much improved and well motivated force coupled those with optimising the available SLN resources is the reason behind continuous successes we have been achieving. The LTTE international shipping network has been broken with the dedication and commitment of the brave officers and sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Q: Does this mean Sri Lanka Navy did not have much trained cadres earlier or did not receive correct directives from the top?

A: More training had to be done in order to carry out the task. Navy is a technical service and hence developing expertise take time. We receive total support from the government. We have to perform our duties to the best of our capabilities.

Q: Do the LTTE have the support of the international community to strengthen their naval power?

A: SLN destroyed three LTTE cargo ships on 10th/11th September 2007, which can be called 'Floating warehouses'. According to intelligence they were believed to be carrying artillery rounds of 120mm, 122mm, 130mm and 152 mm calibre, two torpedoes, three light air craft in knock-down condition, one bullet proof vehicle for Prabakaran and various other warlike materials such as radar, GPS, night vision binoculars etc. These ships were 50 - 75 metres in length and could carry 800 - 1800 tons of cargo in each vessel. The destruction of the three ships and the experienced crew on board those ships as well as a huge quantity of military hardware which were very essential to strengthen their war effort is definitely an irreparable loss to the LTTE.

Q: Are there any new equipment acquired by the SLN to combat sea tiger cadres?

A: Yes, SLN has acquired some platforms and equipment to improve the fire power, accuracy and limited blue water capability. Also, SLN has embarked on a major R & D drive to improvise some weapons and equipment with modern technology to improve destructive power and accuracy. Naval personnel together with scientists and experts have come up with some significant projects and these have been proven in battles. These efforts have contributed greatly in improving the fighting and operational efficiency of SLN ships, sensors and weapons. This combined with motivation; professionalism and high morale of naval personnel have paid dividends in weakening the LTTE sea Tigers considerably in recent confrontations. Also, it must be mentioned that the government is supporting the SLN fully to strengthen the Naval power in a significant manner and in the near future we will have a more modern and stronger Navy.

Q: There is an allegation that President Rajapaksa's son Yositha who joined the Navy recently has been directly sent for training in UK. Is it due to political influence or to his achievements?

A: This allegation is a total fabrication of facts. Any officer joining the Navy as a cadet officer has the opportunity of being selected to follow foreign courses depending on his performance during training. He is not the only officer to follow a foreign course. There were many officers who followed the same training in Royal Navy. They were also chosen by a board of selection considering their performances during training period, the board appointed to fill the training berth offered by the Royal Navy, selected Cadet Yoshitha Rajapaksa as the best candidate considering his performance during initial training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee.

Q: In Silavatura attack the military pushed the terrorists further but it is claimed that they escaped from the sea as there was no blockade from the SLN. Do you agree that the SLN has poor coordination with the security forces when it comes to ground battles?

A: This is not true. This must be imagination of somebody who does not like the success the three forces and police achieving by working together. SLN deployed large number of units to patrol the sea area west of Silavathurai and also south and north of Mannar Island with the intention of preventing any LTTE sea tiger boat escaping from Silavathurai and also to prevent possible reinforcement to them. This was very effectively done and I can assure you that none of the LTTE sea tiger boats escaped by sea. Recovery of 24 boats with equal number of OBM's and two suicide boats by the SLA is proof for this. SLN is having a very good co-ordination with other services and police. I firmly believe that we have to join our forces to fight the common enemy. Even now SLN personnel are working with the SLA troops in Silavathurai area in order to set up few major naval bases in the newly liberated areas.

Q: A major portion of the country's coastal belt is guarded by the Sri Lanka Army why does not the Navy plays a vital role there?

A: That is not true. Navy's primary role is to safeguard the country from sea borne threats. Navy is fully committed to maintain the efficiency of fleet to carry out this primary task. In addition Navy has to protect international shipping lanes and harbours. Navy has to maintain life line to North for both military and civilians. This task is also being undertaken by the Sri Lanka Navy effectively. In addition to these primary tasks Navy controls all the Islands such as Mandativu, Kytes, Punkudutivu, Nayanativu, Delft, Eluavativu, Analativu, Karaitivu(Karainagar), Mannar, Baththalangunduwa, Uchchamunai, which covers the land area approx 300 sqkms and the coastal belt approx 330 kms SLN also controls the land area approx 40 sqkms from Karainagar to Kankesanturai, about 86 kms along the coast in the north. Approx 170 sqkms land area 45 kms along the coast from Trincomalee to Yan Oya on Troncomalee-Pulmudai road. Approx 50 sqkm land area from Trincomalle to Illankanthai approx 90 kms along the coast towards south of Trincomalee also controls by SLN. In addition SLN has land bases, Naval Detachments, and NSUs covering the entire coastal belt around the Sri Lanka including newly established Naval Detachment at Silavathurai, Modaragam Aru, Vakarai, Arugambay, Yala except from Kokkuthuduwai to Thalaiady in eastern coast and from Vedithalativu to Poonaryn in northern coast.These are basic facts and I am sure that you can understand the contribution made by the Navy in support of overall security of the country.

Q: Do you think that the LTTE has acquired Wiskly class Sub-Marines like the Russian to use in our territorial waters? (If not what makes you to think so?)

A: We are also aware of this information. It is not easy to acquire wiskly class Sub Marines. This is very unlikely but cannot be ruled out. The international community is also tightening the grip on all terrorist groups and they are keeping a sharp eye on the LTTE financing and acquiring of war like materials as the LTTE is violating all international conventions and committing large scale maritime crime. Also the LTTE has lost control of large areas of coastal belt. Without proper harbours and shelters it is not possible to operate submarines. Sri Lanka Navy is keeping a closer watch on these areas and determined in her efforts not to provide such facilities to LTTE.

Q: Do you think ceasefire agreement was effective when the LTTE had brought hardware to Sri Lanka?

A: The LTTE is responsible for large scale gross violations of the CFA. I believe that LTTE used the CFA as a cover to smuggle large quantities of war like materials, to train their cadres and basically to prepare for war.

Q: Do you know the port of origin where these ships full of ammunition were sailed?

A: According to our sources the consignments have originated from some South East Asian countries. Possibility exist that some of the terrorist groups operating in that area working with the LTTE to facilitate the transactions.

Q: To what extent that the SLN support the Eastern victory?

A: It is a Well Established fact that 75% of the battle is logistics. If logistics are cut no force can continue with the tactics and maneuvers. Navy has been engaged in preventing LTTE receiving logistics. Sri Lanka is an island nation and most of the logistics has to come from sea. That was the task of the Navy. Navy has effectively denied logistics reaching them and hence their ability to sustain war fighting has drastically reduced. In addition SLN prevented any re-inforcement coming from sea.

Q: How capable are our intelligence services in getting information about sea Tiger movements?

A: We have enhanced our capabilities particularly, in the intelligence field and this has contributed immensely in successive major victories over sea Tigers.

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